Cay Tre (Soho)

Very mixed picture in terms of dishes - some nice, some awful. Service patchy and customer satisfaction policy nil.

A complaint about the appalling stench from a bowl of pho soup with fishcakes was met with "you ordered it and you have to pay" followed by "this is what it is meant to be like'. Perhaps an attempt to sell us on the reason for what can only be a highly acquired aroma, would have talked us round. "You're paying, whatever" didn't. Won't be returning to a restaurant with such contempt for its customers.
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3 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 3
Saturday, January 21, 2012

We ate here recently through a Groupon offer, which worked out at around a 50% discount. Starters of grilled scallops and cured beef summer rolls were both very tasty, but in both cases, the portions were pretty tiny. For £7, I expected more than two scallops, and the summer rolls were predominantly herbs and lettuce. Main courses were a bit better; we enjoyed the rich, aromatic Ox Cheek Au Vin; the meat was very tender and the flavours were subtle and distinctive. Pork belly with curry leaves was also very tasty, not too fatty, and the herb flavour complemented the meat.

However, service throughout was not great - staff were friendly, but it took a long time to get anyone to take our order, and to get the bill. I would expect half-hearted service in a cheap and cheerful Kingsland Road restaurant, but at Soho prices I'd like staff to be a bit more present! We were automatically charged service of 12.5% on the pre-discount total, which meant that the service charge made up 1/3rd of the total bill. I'm not a fan of restaurants adding an automatic service charge, and this just left a bad taste in my mouth. On the whole, it's decent food, and a reasonable option in Soho, but it costs a lot for what it is, and the service leaves something to be desired.
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Liz
6 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Great food, appalling service. Realy appalling. They staff stood around when we wanted to order, were rude and everything seemed to be a real chore to do, from getting drinks to clearing the tables.

Quite sad really as the food and atmosphere makes this place, and is a welcome additon to late night eating without a reservation in the heart of Soho, but guys, please make your staff at least value your customers!!!!!!
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Simon V
6 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Saturday, October 29, 2011

After a first few months, Cay Tre Soho now is rocking. No more cold food and slow service.

It is so interesting that they change the menu quite often. You can now find the Mahi Mahi curry and Black Seabass on the menu. Fantastic.

Best choice of Vietnamese in the West End, or maybe in London. Decent one.
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Robert
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, October 22, 2011

What a shame ! What happened to this branch ?! It's 13:06pm On a Sunday and we are the only table in here and still waiting for our kimchi 15minutes later !! The staff don't really seem too bothered either!!

Certainly when we were here on the opening night it was fabulous...I think the other branch in the East end is far better

Oh well they have lost us as a customer and our friends
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Shahrooz
6 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Sunday, October 09, 2011

Very proper Vietnamese restaurant, which is very rare in London.

London has about 50 Vietnamese restaurants and cafes, but Cay Tre is the only one make me feel as I am dining in Saigon, with food to match.

The Mahi Mahi curry is out of this world. Very much like the version I had at Dong Du Mosque. I love the taste of their papaya salad: kicking spicy, lovely crunchy and just like you grap it from Ho Chi Minh City Street.

Not cheap, but worth the price. The lunch deal is actually cheap, about half of what you pay at Koya at Firth St.

Try the Mahi Mahi, it is a must.
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Kevin Lee - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Was surprised to see a branch of Cay Tre in the heart of Soho and went to try it out for a friend's birthday. I had already been to the one on Old Street and it was nice.

I had just read a review of this new branch and they mentioned the spatchcocked chicken was well worth the 20 minute wait. I was going to order the chicken but then after speaking to the waiter he highly recommended the roast belly pork and said that it was a new dish.

When it came I was very disappointed. For around £10 you only get 5 small pieces of roast pork and a chilli/soy dipping sauce. Although the quality of the pork was good and the crackling was nice this was a rip off as it was insubstantial for a main. If I had known I would have just popped over to Chinatown and for £6 I could have got a substantial and filling dish of roast duck and roast pork.

The restaurant itself was very trendy but the food did not live up to the hype.
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5 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Thursday, July 14, 2011

Officially one of the best choice for Asian food in Soho, and the best for Vietnamese food in London.

This place changes the image about Vietnamese Cuisine, with honest, fresh ingredients, we now know Vietnam is not just about Pho. Try the Swordfish, the wild boar and Tonkin Jasmine Flower. Fab.

Avoid weekend, it is completely packed after just 3 weeks open.
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Henry
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, June 03, 2011

I ate lunch at Cay Tre Dean St today with two colleagues. I was meant to go during the soft opening week, but they could not do lunch that day, so offered me a later date of my choosing while keeping the 50% discount (which was nice). Between us we shared crispy salt and pepper eel which was served with onions, ginger, spring onion and chillies, and was bloody delicious. probably better than Busaba salt and pepper squid at its best. A colleague had prawn summer rolls to start, which were also excellent. For mains I had Hanoi Pho with beef, which was very good although slightly light on flavour (although pho is not especially flavourful in my view), but nicely enlivened with fresh herbs, beansprouts, etc. The pieces of beef were slightly large for comfort but very soft and moist. Colleague 1 had pork spring rolls with vermicelli, which he enjoyed. Colleague 2 had the stand-out, stir-fried beef with lemongrass on vermicelli. Quite spicy but absolutely delicious, with the lemongrass really coming through.

Everything tasted really lovely and freshly-made, and like no processed ingredients had been used: all real, good-quality food. (Reminded me in that respect of Koya). With the 50% discount we paid £19; obviously without it would have been £38. Not cheap, but not very pricey, and the food was excellent. Nice decor too. Mains were around £8.50-10 for a generous portion (with the starters and my main I was too full); a main would certainly be enough for me for a meal. The price makes it more than an everyday lunch spot, but I'll definitely be going back. I really liked it, as did discriminating colleagues. Service was OK; a bit slow at times, but fine.
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RichardM
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Heavenly food. A real touch of Vietnam in London.

I came to Pho in Wardour St for lunch, found out their Pho is just broth, noodle, beef. Same day in the evening, I have Pho at Cay Tre Soho, which is absolutely different. They reached what we expected in Vietnam for a Pho, the depth of broth, the beefy brisket, the tender fillet, this is real Pho art in London.

Their selection of salad is also phenomenon, the Sundried Squid Green Mango salad is stunning. Summer rolls are 4 different types, so fresh and yummy.

The lunch set for £14/head is very good. I haven't tried but I think it is very deal for Soho.
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Janet
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, May 30, 2011